This Invasive Insect Has Returned to 18 US States: Is Yours One?

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) looks as cute as its name sounds. It has gorgeous polka-dot wings, with scarlet hind wings marked with black spots and brown forewings also marked with black spots. However, just because this insect is adorable doesn’t mean you’ll want to find one in your garden. This insect is actually an invasive planthopper that damages plants and trees, and this month, it has been spotted in 18 US states, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Find out if your state is affected below and learn what you can do to protect your plants.

What is the Spotted Lanternfly?

This invasive planthopper is native to Asia, but it has been invading US plants since it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, likely after hitching a ride on goods shipped from overseas. It feeds on the sap of over 70 plant species, including grapes, apples, stone fruits, and hardwood trees, weakening the plants and making them susceptible to disease and other pests. After feeding on the sap, it leaves behind a sticky, sugary fluid called honeydew that causes sooty mold, further weakens the plant, and attracts other insects, which can cause additional harm.

Spotted lanternflies feed by piercing a tree’s bark with their mouthparts to access the sap beneath the surface. In addition to harming trees and forests, this pest can destroy habitats for several animals, such as bats, birds, mammals, and reptiles that live in or rely on trees for food. The spotted lanternfly uses its striking wings to jump from plant to plant. It can land on a variety of surfaces and spread rapidly through an environment. In 2019, Pennsylvania State University estimated that spotted lanternflies are responsible for $99 million in agricultural losses and $236 million in losses to the forest industry each year.

Signs of a Spotted Lanternfly Infestation

Early detection is crucial to prevent further economic and ecological losses, as these pests impact the fruit, ornamental, and forest industries. Public assistance is needed to help detect and report spotted lanternflies, so here’s what to look for. Adults are approximately 1 inch long and ½ inch wide, with bold spotted wings. When they lay eggs, the masses look like wet, gray putty, which then turns dull and brown, resembling cracked mud. These 1-inch egg masses hold about 30 to 50 eggs and appear on smooth surfaces like trees, bricks, fences, grills, and vehicles.

You might notice the smell of honeydew before you spot the lanternfly, as this substance has a strong, rotten odor. If you have any tree-of-heaven plants nearby, check them first, as these are a favorite feeding spot for the invasive planthopper. This insect also tends to gather in large numbers when feeding, and they can be spotted more often at dusk or at night.

You should also check your vehicle, trees, bricks, stones, and plants for eggs or insects, and destroy any you find. Avoid driving or parking near a quarantined area, and if you do, thoroughly check your vehicle and clothes before leaving. If you see a spotted lanternfly infestation in your state, you can fill out a state-specific form to report it. You can find links to all the reporting forms on the APHIS’s website.

Where Have Spotted Lanternflies Been Spotted in 2025?

As of June 3, 2025, APHIS has reported finding spotted lanternflies in 18 US states, including:

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Georgia

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kentucky

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• New Jersey

• New York

• North Carolina

• Ohio

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• Tennessee

• Virginia

• West Virginia

What Else to Know?

In December 2024, researchers at New York University found that spotted lanternflies are emerging earlier and staying active later each year. They estimated that this longer lifecycle could be due to cities and their warmer climates.

“Cities tend to have milder winters, creating favorable conditions for species that otherwise would only be able to live in hot, tropical climates,” Kristin Winchell, an assistant professor of biology at NYU who studies ecology and evolution in urban environments, says in a news release. “Cities are also highly connected places where trade happens, and organisms may end up on shipments in planes or boats traveling between cities.”

If spotted lanternflies live longer, they have even more time to spread and reproduce. Help stop the spread by reporting spotted lanternfly sightings in your state, treating infestations with pesticides, and destroying any eggs or insects you find.

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